A new think tank which places design at the heart of the way the education system works is being launched today. It aims to lead national thinking and shape policy and practice in both education and the built environment, and harness the learning power of mass collaboration.
The Centre for School Design is an initiative from the British Council for School Environments (BCSE), and will be hosted by the charity.
Co-founder and BCSE chief executive Ty Goddard, said:
“We are at a crucial time in the cycle of UK government and public policy. Public sector budgets are being closely scrutinised and everyone is being asked to deliver more for less. We need an independent voice which can lead national debate on education, give authoritative guidance on best practice and value for money, and make the crucial links between design, educational function and achievement”.
A key feature of the new body will be the use of the web, harnessing the power of social media to develop and inform the work of organisations across the sector. Elements of this work will include:
- a regular blog that shares ideas, materials and information in real time;
- the use of video, podcasts and other media to set the agenda;
- web 2.0 technologies to enable people to connect with each other and navigate their way through current challenges in education, design and construction;
- the development of a series of strategic partnerships with national bodies, and academic partners, to deliver and commission pioneering research.
Co-founder and BCSE deputy chief executive Ian Fordham added:
“We’re heading into a post bureaucratic age when it comes to garnering expertise. Utilising the web and related technologies will give us the opportunity to capture a massive range of knowledge and expertise, as well as sharing what works in a collaborative online environment. We need to spread ideas as they happen and the web allows us to do this in ever more simple ways. There is a lot of talk of using the ‘wisdom of crowds’ to inform policy and practice on the ground – we will make that a reality in the worlds of education and design.”
In its first year, the organisation plans to launch a series of major projects, reports and events, including a collaboration with a national partner to identify emerging practice in tackling poverty and disadvantage through design and a national education summit to help shape education policy of the new government.
Ends
Notes to editors:
The British Council for School Environments (BCSE) is a charity and membership organisation made up of organisations from the public, private and voluntary sectors. It acts as a forum for exchange, dialogue and advocacy for anyone interested in the design, construction and refurbishment of learning environments.
The BCSE’s pioneering work includes:
- Creating a unique network of over 400 public and private organisations across the education, design and construction sector
- Bringing the work of Kunskapsskolan and parent promoted schools to a national stage for the first time in the UK
- Starting the first school design awards
- Developing the Big School Makeover programme – a national initiative to help schools transform spaces and make a big difference with a small amount of resource.
It will be launched on the 25th January at 1 London Bridge at 5pm-6.30pm. For further information please contact Ben Furner on 01273 463461, 07946 355795 or ben@furnercommunications.co.uk
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